Sigma APO 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC HSM lens : Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new APO 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC HSM lens. Specially designed for digital SLR cameras with an APS-C size image sensor, this large aperture F2.8 lens has a compact and lightweight construction of 76.3mm (3.0") in diameter, 132.6mm (5.2") in length and weighing just 780g (27.5oz) (Nikon Mount). The incorporation of the very latest optical technology gives optimum lens performance providing excellent correction for flare, ghosting and all types of aberrations. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range. Four SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements are used for utmost correction of chromatic aberrations.

Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS high zoom ratio lens : Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the 18-200 F3.5-6.3 DC OS lens. 11.1 high zoom ratio lens is designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras and incorporates Sigma’s original OS technology. This high ratio zoom lens incorporates Sigma’s original OS function and exclusively designed for digital SLR cameras. It is perfectly suitable for low light conditions, indoors, at dusk and telephoto range. SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass and aspherical glass provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations. This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 45cm (17.7”) throughout the entire zoom range and has a maximum magnification of 1:3.9.

Leica Summarit-M lenses : Leica Camera introduces a new family of lenses for analog and digital Leica rangefinder cameras: the Leica Summarit-M class. The new lenses offer world-class Leica optical and mechanical excellence while being positioned at a new price level that broaden its acceptance in new customer segments. The maximum aperture of f/2.5 and the concentration on the classic and proven spherical lens design leads to a new series of lenses that now brings famous Leica quality and a superb price/performance ratio to a broader market. The four lenses Leica Summarit-M f/2.5 35mm, Leica Summarit-M f/2.5 50mm, Leica Summarit-M f/2.5 75mm and Leica Summarit-M f/2.5 90mm cover the most popular focal lengths in the Leica M system.

Leica Televid spotting scopes : At the British Birdwatching Fair, to be held at the end of August 2007 at Rutland Water, Leica Camera AG of Germany will be exhibiting two fully redesigned spotting scope models with two different lens diameters - the intense-light Leica Televid 82 and the exceptionally compact Leica Televid 65. The optical performance of the new Leica Televid spotting scopes is significantly increased in comparison to preceding models in the Leica Televid product line. The use of high-quality Leica lenses made of special fluorite glass gives an improved range of contrast and neutral color representation to provide sharpness and brilliance right up to the edge of the image.

Leica Ultravid HD binoculars : At the British Birdwatching Fair, held at the end of August 2007 at Rutland Water, Leica Camera AG of Germany will be exhibiting a new generation of Leica Ultravid binoculars. The optical performance of the new Leica Ultravid HD high-end binoculars is significantly increased in comparison to previous models. This increased performance is a result of the redesign of the optical system towards increased definition (hence the name HD for High Definition) which is implemented in the new Leica Ultravid models with lens diameter from 32 mm in the Leica Ultravid 8x32 HD through to the Leica Ultravid12 x 50 HD. The new Leica Ultravid HD models will be available from Leica retailers from November 2007.

Nikon AF-S 600mm f/4G ED VR lens : Nikon Europe announced a new super-telephoto lens incorporating Nikon’s exclusive VR II Vibration Reduction system. Aimed at professional sports, news and wildlife photographers, the Nikon AF-S 600mm f/4G ED VR complements the NIKKOR range of super telephoto lenses. The new Nikon 600mm f/4G ED VR super telephoto gives photographers the equivalent of a shutter speed 4 stops faster, thanks to Nikon’s VR II technology. “Lenses like these bring the photographer right to the heart of the action, even from hundreds of meters away,” said Robert Cristina, Manager Professional Products & NPS, Nikon Europe BV. “Judging from feedback we have had already, this news will be very welcomed by photographers”.

Nikon AF-S 500mm f/4G ED VR lens : Nikon Europe announced a new super-telephoto lens incorporating Nikon’s exclusive VR II Vibration Reduction system. Aimed at professional sports, news and wildlife photographers, the Nikon AF-S 500mm f/4G ED VR complements the NIKKOR range of super telephoto lenses. The new Nikon 500mm f/4G ED VR super telephoto gives photographers the equivalent of a shutter speed 4 stops faster, thanks to Nikon’s VR II technology. “Lenses like these bring the photographer right to the heart of the action, even from hundreds of meters away,” said Robert Cristina, Manager Professional Products & NPS, Nikon Europe BV. “Judging from feedback we have had already, this news will be very welcomed by photographers”.

Nikon AF-S 400mm f/2.8G ED VR lens : Nikon Europe announced a new super-telephoto lens incorporating Nikon’s exclusive VR II Vibration Reduction system. Aimed at professional sports, news and wildlife photographers, the Nikon AF-S 400mm f/2.8G ED VR complements the NIKKOR range of super telephoto lenses. The new Nikon 400mm f/2.8G ED VR super telephoto gives photographers the equivalent of a shutter speed 4 stops faster, thanks to Nikon’s VR II technology. “Lenses like these bring the photographer right to the heart of the action, even from hundreds of meters away,” said Robert Cristina, Manager Professional Products & NPS, Nikon Europe BV. “Judging from feedback we have had already, this news will be very welcomed by photographers”.

Canon EF 14mm USM Lens : Canon releases its ultra-wide EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM lens. With the shortest focal length in Canon’s renowned professional L-series range, the lens boasts a 114° angle of view; exceeded only by Canon’s EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye. The Canon lens incorporates aspherical and UD elements to achieve the very highest standards of image fidelity. With the latest Ultrasonic Motor for fast and accurate auto focus and the addition of dust and moisture sealing, it replaces the enormously popular EF14mm f/2.8L USM. The Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM includes an integrated petal hood and redesigned lens cap. In keeping with Canon’s Kyosei philosophy of living in harmony with the environment, the lens features only lead-free glass.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS lens : Canon strengthens its EF-S series of lenses with the launch of the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS. With an equivalent focal length of 29-88mm, the new Canon lens is the first in the EF-S series to incorporate a 4-stop Image Stabilizer, dramatically extending low-light performance. The Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS lens incorporates specialist optics to achieve exceptional image clarity - the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS employs an aspherical lens element. The Canon EF-S lens is built to fit exclusively on EOS cameras with an EF–S lens mount – including the new EOS 40D, EOS 30D, EOS 400D and earlier models. Keeping Canon’s Kyosei philosophy of living in harmony with the environment, the lens features only lead-free glass.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS lens : Canon strengthens its EF-S series of lenses with the launch of the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS. With an equivalent focal length of 88-400mm, the new Canon lens is the first in the EF-S series to incorporate a 4-stop Image Stabilizer, dramatically extending low-light performance. The Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens incorporates specialist optics to achieve exceptional image clarity - the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS benefits from an Ultra-Low Dispersion (UD) lens element. The Canon EF-S lens is built to fit exclusively on those EOS cameras with an EF–S lens mount – including the new EOS 40D, EOS 30D, EOS 400D and earlier models. To take the environment into account, the lens features only lead-free glass.

40 million Nikkor SLR lenses sold : Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce that production figures for our Nikkor SLR interchangeable lenses surpassed the 40 million mark this month. Forty-eight years have passed since Nikon introduced the first Nikkor lens with F mount, together with our first SLR camera, the Nikon F, in 1959. Nikon views the 40 million figure as symbolic of the love and enthusiasm shared by photography enthusiasts - professionals and amateurs alike - for Nikkor lenses, and a testimony to their extraordinary performance and reliability. Nikon is committed to raising the level of their technologies even further, and tightening the uncompromising quality controls, in order to meet and surpass your standards and expectations.

Sigma Macro HSM lenses for Nikon SLR : The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC Macro HSM lens and the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC Macro HSM lens, both for Nikon D-SLRs. The Sigma Macro HSM lenses allow autofocus with all Nikon SLR cameras. The HSM is incorporated into the large aperture standard zoom 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC Macro lens. This Sigma lens is capable of autofocusing with all Nikon DSLR cameras and has a minimum focusing distance of 20cm (7.9”) and maximum magnification of 1:2.3 enabling close-up photography. A Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass and Aspherical lens allows a compact construction and high optical performance.

Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 70-300mm telephoto lens : Olympus introduces the Zuiko Digital ED 70-300mm 1:4.0-5.6. Designed for the specific demands of digital photography, this telephoto lens delivers 4.28x zoom power - up to a phenomenal focal length equivalent of 300mm (600mm on a 35mm camera system). Despite such high-performance attributes, this ultra-compact model only weighs in at around half as much as its competition. This makes it the ideal travel lens to accompany any Four Thirds Standard DSLR. With magnification muscle extending to 300mm (600mm in 35mm equivalent terms), the Zuiko Digital ED 70-300mm 1:4.0-5.6 is remarkably powerful yet remains astoundingly portable: The lens measures a mere 127mm and weighs just 620g.

Camera lenses for M42 Mount from Carl Zeiss : Carl Zeiss AG announces two lenses for the ‘universal’ M42 lens mount. The Distagon T* 2.8/25 ZS and Distagon T* 2/35 ZS wide-angle lenses join the Planar T* 1.4/50 ZS, released in 2006. Both lenses are scheduled to begin shipping in May, 2007. The wide-angle ZS-lenses share identical specifications and performance to their ZF-counterparts for the Nikon F-mount. Like all the lenses in the Zeiss ZF-/ZS-line, they feature a durable, full metal precision mount and engraved scales. The 9-blade iris has precise stops in 1/2 steps and a ‘bokeh’ effect. The Distagon T* 2.8/25 ZS features an extreme close-up potential with a minimum object distance of only 6 cm from the front lens element.

Wide Angle ZM lenses from Carl Zeiss : Announced at Photokina 2006, Carl Zeiss AG has released the pricing and the official launch date for the Distagon T* 4/18 ZM and C Biogon T* 4.5/21 ZM lenses. Tailor-made for the Zeiss Ikon rangefinder camera and other cameras with Leica M-bayonet, both lenses are based on sophisticated optical designs from Carl Zeiss and provide high image definition in high purity colors - without flare and ghosting. They cover the full 24x36mm format and are suitable for both analog and digital photography. Even with digital sensors in a smaller format, they still cover very wide field angles. Both lenses are remarkably compact and light and are therefore ideal for travel, landscape and ‘street’ photography.

High Definition color camera head : Audio Video Supply, Inc, the San Diego Medical, Security, and Broadcast Components distributor has introduced its new AVS-HD3, 3-CCD High Definition Remote Head Color Camera Full HD (1920 x 1080i), that incorporates a 3CCD Prism Block Assembly. The AVS-HD3 High Definition Remote Head Color Camera Full HD (1920 x 1080i) from Audio Video Supply has a 1/3-inch IT-CCD Imager and 850 TV lines of horizontal resolution. This high definition remote head camera also has a sensitivity of F6.8 standard (2000 lx, 3000k) and a minimum illumination of 13 lx (F2.2 sensitivity, 18dB, 3000k). All this performance is available in a 32.6mm(W) x 38.6mm(H) x 40mm(D) casing that weighs just 65g.

Sigma APO 200-500mm hands on : Well sort of… I was visiting the Sigma booth and was confronted with this huge, and I mean really huge new Sigma tele zoom lens; the new Sigma APO 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG lens. And those of you who still want to travel light after purchasing this new baby; forget it. This new Sigma lens has a weight of around 15 kilos and well the picture says it all. Sigma showcased a pre-production model of the Sigma APO 200-500mm lens but nevertheless attracted a huge crowed of people. Who said size doesn't matter? This lens is coming with a dedicated APO 2.0x tele converter 2x EX DG II so it becomes an impressive, large aperture 400-1000mm F5.6 AF Ultra-Telephoto Zoom lens.